Carry-on crackdown: United enforces bag size limit

In this May 8, 2013 file photo, groups of passengers wait at a United Airlines gate to board a flight in separate numbered lanes at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago.

NEW YORK >> United Airlines is getting tough on passengers with oversized carry-on bags, even sending some of them back to the ticket counter to check their luggage for a fee.

The Chicago-based airline has started a push to better enforce rules restricting the size of carry-on bags -- an effort that will include instructing workers at security checkpoint entrances to eyeball passengers for bags that are too big.

In recent weeks, United has rolled out new bag-sizing boxes at most airports and sent an email to frequent fliers, reminding them of the rules. An internal employee newsletter called the program a "renewed focus on carry-on compliance."

The size limits on carry-on bags have been in place for years, but airlines have enforced them inconsistently, rarely conducting anything beyond occasional spot checks.

United says its new approach will ensure that bags are reliably reviewed at the security checkpoint, in addition to the bag checks already done at gates prior to boarding.

Passengers are typically allowed one carry-on bag to fit in the overhead bin, which can be no larger than 9 inches by 14 inches by 22 inches. Fliers can also bring one personal item such as a purse or laptop bag that fits under the seat in front of them.

People flying with oversized bags can have the suitcase checked for free at the gate, a longstanding practice. But those who get halted at the entrance to security must now go back to the ticket counter and pay the airline's $25 checked-luggage fee.

Some travelers suggest the crackdown is part of a larger attempt by United to collect more fees. The airline says it's simply ensuring that compliant passengers have space left for them in the overhead bins. In recent years, the last passengers to board have routinely been forced to check their bags at the gate because overhead bins were already full.

"The stepped-up enforcement is to address the customers who complained about having bags within the size limit and weren't able to take them on the plane," United spokesman Rahsaan Johnson said. "That is solely what this is about."

It has nothing to do with revenue, Johnson said, adding that one non-compliant bag takes up the same space as two compliant ones.

But the airline is likely to benefit financially if more passengers are turned back at security.

"This new program is primarily to drive new revenue and will likely delay the boarding process even more unless better education is provided around what is and is not acceptable," said Brian Kelly, an industry watcher who writes about flying trends at ThePointsGuy.com.

But, he added, having fewer bags on board could also be good for passengers.

"I've been whacked more times than I can count by people loaded down with their life's worldly possessions," Kelly said.

United collects $638 million in checked-bag fees a year but wants to increase that figure. In a January earnings call, the airline's chief revenue officer, Jim Compton, said United hopes to collect an extra $700 million over the next four years from extras such as baggage fees and the sale of extra legroom.

Those fees have helped the airline industry return to profitability even as the price of fuel has climbed. While airfare has risen faster than inflation, it could have risen faster still without the added revenue.

Other airlines have bag sizers at checkpoints, but enforcement was sporadic at best.

American Airlines asks staff at some of its largest airports "to do an eyeball test" of carry-ons. The airline has even used tape measures to enforce polices.

Delta Air Lines puts agents near security to look for oversized carry-on bags "during peak times at hubs and larger airports." It has also improved technology to check bags faster at gates.

United is going further than other airlines. Its bag sizers have a space for bags going in overhead bins and another for those items going under the seats.

Christina Schillizzi, a frequent United flier from New Jersey, said she was shocked to see the flight crew stringently forcing people to check carry-on bags on a recent flight. They even questioned if her laptop would fit under the seat.

"Fliers were naturally annoyed" and did not want to give up their luggage, she said. "Ultimately, the less-than-friendly flight attendants won out."

United has also updated its website, telling passengers to use the new sizers to test their luggage "so you can check any bags that are too large right there in the lobby."

"You may have purchased a bag that claims to be 'official carry-on size,'" the airline cautioned. "However, this labeling can be misleading because it doesn't specifically represent United's size restrictions."

The process of getting on a plane dramatically changed in 2008, when U.S. airlines started charging extra to check a suitcase. To avoid the fee, more passengers started bringing suitcases into the airplane cabin, many of them overstuffing the bags. Suddenly there was not enough room in the overhead bins.

Airlines now sell priority boarding passes guaranteeing those who pay extra get some space in the overhead compartments. Everybody else is left jockeying for a position at the gate, hoping to get on board before the bins filled up.

Once on the plane, passengers take longer to sit down because they are trying to cram over-packed suitcases into the already overflowing bins. Airlines have been installing new, larger overhead bins, but it has not entirely solved the problem.

"It was getting out of control with how much people were bringing on board," said Michel Jacobson, a frequent United flier who works for a Washington D.C.-based trade group.

Jacobson isn't so worried about paying the $25 checked-bag fee -- it's waived for him as an elite member of United's frequent-flier program. Instead, he fears needing to show up at the airport earlier to check a bag he's used to bringing onboard.

When Spirit Airlines started charging passengers in 2010 to place bags in the overhead bin -- something only Spirit and Allegiant Air do -- executives said the move helped improve on-time performance. Spirit charges $5 more for carry-on bags than checked bags.

Last year, United reconfigured its gate areas to separate the people in boarding group 1 from those in group 2 and group 3 and so on. The goal was to instill some order and speed up boarding.

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DABLACKwrote:

By Time !! ALL the other Airlines need to follow. No Excuses !! Got hit on the "atama" by one bag that was too big for the overhead bin and was forced in. Upon landing, the owner had to pry it out and it landed on me !!!

on March 4,2014 | 07:42AM

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Grimboldwrote:

Right Dablack, it is about time these inconsiderate abusers of the carry on limit get whacked on their fingers!

on March 4,2014 | 10:38AM

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Spikettewrote:

You got it right. Our flight was delayed over half an hour to fix the overhead bin door due to passenger trying to force his luggage in. Some of the bags that get stuff in the overhead bib are sooooo heavy the passenger has to request assistance to lift it.

on March 4,2014 | 12:12PM

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cojefwrote:

Yep, get the cheapskates to pay their fare share. Used fare instead of fair for reasons that it's revenue lost, plus like you say, the big bags can really hurt you should they fall. Also, they use more than their fair share of space and often inconvenience you by requiring you find space away from where your seat is located

on March 4,2014 | 02:46PM

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niimiwrote:

I bet the only whiners on this discussion most of the time are abusers who are too lazy to make the bag size and weight limit or think they are above the rules. Just like people who think 15 mph over the speed limit is within the lag of the rules. It isn't.

on March 4,2014 | 03:50PM

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niimiwrote:

It is ABOUT TIME, and I hope that every airline enforces to rules. 22" x 14" x 9", basically a length times girth. Three major annoyances. 1) Selfish passenger brings aboard an oversized bag that takes two spaces in the overhead bin. 2) Selfish passenger turns their bag parallel to the aisle in the bin (what I do is rotate it 90 degrees for them so that it is properly placed. 3) Selfish passenger has way more carry-ons than the rules state.

on March 4,2014 | 03:34PM

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MexMewrote:

You missed a couple! Selfish passenger who puts both pieces in the overhead bin so that he doesn't have anything under the seat in front of him and selfish passenger who is seated in the back but puts his stuff in the front (above another passenger's seat) so he can grab it on the way out.

on March 4,2014 | 05:17PM

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hikinewrote:

I agree with that. Last time I flew someone's bag was on my overhead bin and later found out he sat 5 seats behind me and noticed the bin above him was empty! Inconsiderate twit!

on March 5,2014 | 01:19AM

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squidman22wrote:

That's just a b s move to make more money. Pretty soon there will be a fee for all bags, check in or not.

on March 4,2014 | 07:44AM

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primo1wrote:

Actually it's a smart move to expedite the boarding process.

on March 4,2014 | 08:50AM

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eoewrote:

Well gee, why is everybody carrying bags on all of a sudden? Maybe because united and others are charging ridiculous amounts for their checked bags?

on March 4,2014 | 11:09AM

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Bdpapawrote:

Unfortunately, thats part of the cost to travel.

on March 4,2014 | 11:12AM

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primo1wrote:

Well gee, this didn't happen "all of a sudden". It's become more prevalent because of the baggage fees, but people have been carrying on whatever baggage they can for a while now. Maybe because people don't want to wait at the carousel for checked baggage after they get to their destination?

on March 4,2014 | 12:34PM

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niimiwrote:

Of course it will happen all of a sudden because they just announced it. Time for all the other airlines to get their act together and get that bag measuring process in place.

on March 4,2014 | 03:38PM

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primo1wrote:

Well gee, this didn't happen "all of a sudden"...the practice of carrying on as much as you can aboard a plane is just more prevalent now because of the baggage fees. People have been doing this from way before baggage fees were being charged. Maybe because they don't want to wait at the carousel for their checked baggage when they reach their destination?

on March 4,2014 | 12:41PM

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primo1wrote:

Sorry for the double posting...got impatient waiting for approval.

on March 4,2014 | 01:05PM

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niimiwrote:

LOL, usually when we have to wait for approval it isn't getting approved. :-)

on March 4,2014 | 03:43PM

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niimiwrote:

You don't travel for business much, do you, primo1. I've not checked a bag in 16 years--from before 9/11. I've boarded a plane 600 times since then. And I have seen tons of travelers carry-on. Why? Because as you said, and as a business traveling pro I don't want to wait that 20 minutes at a bag carousel. I just want to disembark and head straight for my connecting flight or to ground transportation. Commuter flight at 7:00 AM, land at 8:00 AM, at the Hertz Gold easy checkin and have my car in 15 minutes from landing, and on my way to a meeting. Nice and quick--spit-spot.

on March 4,2014 | 03:42PM

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primo1wrote:

You don't read very well do you niimi? Read my comment again...both of them if you still don't get it.

on March 4,2014 | 04:00PM

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RetiredUSMCwrote:

So you are a special person, rules don't apply to you! Maybe think about someone besides yourself! You have a Hertz Gold Card great why don't you just send your bag UPS next day and save the rest of us your contempt! You are rich right?

on March 4,2014 | 04:08PM

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MexMewrote:

Business travel is one thing and a vacation is another. I need more than a few toiletries (or using toiletries at a hotel) and a change of underwear if I am going to the mainland for an extended vacation or trip. Get over yourself, niimi. I use Hertz Gold as well and it's not that exclusive so spit-spot.

on March 4,2014 | 05:23PM

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downeykpwrote:

You hit the nail on the head. Ancillary fees, it's the lifeblood of the airlines. Airlines never saw a fee they didn't like. People used to be loyal to their airline because they were given good service. In days past if you reserved early you got a decent fare no matter when you wanted to fly. Now they block out holiday periods with ridiculous prices making it so a family of four would have the shell out $4000 just for airfares.

on March 4,2014 | 02:49PM

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niimiwrote:

Airlines are businesses whose charter is to make a profit first and foremost. I use my mileage to travel during holidays; just get in their early enough. Now they don't block out holiday periods; they used to, but not anymore. But the early bird gets the worm.

on March 4,2014 | 03:44PM

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MexMewrote:

And you go on those holidays with only a legal size carry-on? No checked baggage? Spend a lot of time doing laundry or do you just donate the clothing you buy on the other end before you return home? Which is it, niimi?

on March 4,2014 | 05:24PM

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niimiwrote:

Hello, passengers, All of the major airlines have been through bankruptcy because they weren't making enough. Now they are. 5 of my 401(k) funds have United Airlines, so I am rooting for their profits to go to the moon!

on March 4,2014 | 03:37PM

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inlanikaiwrote:

True. But people have abused the carry size and number limits to the point that United had the perfect excuse. Get the right size luggage, pack it properly, and you'll be fine. But if you try to bring on a 24" bag or pack it with a big bulge in the middle or overstuff the pockets and bring three "personal" items you deserve what happens to you.

on March 4,2014 | 10:13AM

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kainaluwrote:

Yes. The "BS" are those losers trying to save a buck by bringing on oversized carry-ons.

on March 4,2014 | 10:36AM

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niimiwrote:

Yeah, that or properly sized bags but which are 20 pounds OVER the weight limit such that they can't even lift it up to the overhead bin. 22 x 14 x 9 is 1.6 cubic feet and 40 Lbs. That is 25 Lbs. per cubic foot which is standard for the majority of the airline industry. If they are carrying all sorts of junk in their pack they should get flagged.

on March 4,2014 | 03:48PM

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MexMewrote:

Etihad Airways actually weighed my carry-on to make sure it was compliant. I was annoyed but I also knew it was my own fault if it didn't comply. The bag was too heavy (I didn't know there was a weight limit as US airlines never really publish it or enforce it) but it was at check-in so I was able to transfer items to my checked baggage. I learned my lesson and check websites before flying now and weigh my stuff before I leave the house … even the carry-on.

on March 4,2014 | 05:28PM

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Grimboldwrote:

squidman is obviously one of these bad customers who abuse the generosity and rules.

on March 4,2014 | 10:40AM

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niimiwrote:

And I hope United makes a killing on the fees. It is about time the rules are enforced. Everyone should comply, and if it takes fees to make my flight experience better then I am 100% for it. I can pack 8 days worth in a fully compliant bag that fits beneath the seat in front of me.

on March 4,2014 | 03:36PM

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MexMewrote:

Even if you are headed from Hawaii to the Polar Vortex on the mainland? You should give classes. Or do you dress in layers as you board the plane while wearing a winter coat?

on March 4,2014 | 05:29PM

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Hawaii001wrote:

Instead of sending them back to the check-in counter and they're forced to check the bag in, the fee to check in at the gate should be doubled or tripled as a penalty. That will make the traveler think twice the next time they fly.

on March 4,2014 | 07:57AM

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littleyoboboywrote:

now here's a person who knows what their talking about. you see it all the time. they know the bag is too big, but they take it anyway cause they know they can have it checked in at no charge.

on March 4,2014 | 08:19AM

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eoewrote:

So what?

on March 4,2014 | 11:09AM

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MexMewrote:

So they should have to pay extra. More and more people are doing it. It's annoying to have to wait while the gate attendant tells them they have to check the bag and the the passenger has the gall to argue about it when he/she KNOWS it is too big/heavy.

on March 4,2014 | 05:31PM

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808ikeawrote:

I totally agree. The airlines make it way too easy for these freeloaders, by taking their over sized bags at the gate at NO CHARGE. When they know they can get away with it of course they will keep on doing it.

on March 4,2014 | 08:39AM

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csdhawaiiwrote:

YUP. For those of us who follow the rules, it's really unfair to keep allowing the scofflaws to either take oversized bags on board, leaving less room for those of us who have only one bag to store or bring small bags; and unfair that they bypass the baggage fee by having the bag checked at the gate. United is one of my least favorite airlines, but good for them for doing this.

on March 4,2014 | 11:37AM

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kiragirlwrote:

Yes! Simple but effective. Too many backpacks and a carry on too should be curtailed.

on March 4,2014 | 09:12AM

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inlanikaiwrote:

I think going back to the checkin counter and standing on line there then again through TSA is penalty enough to make them think twice the next time. They might even miss their flight!

on March 4,2014 | 10:14AM

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BigIsandLavawrote:

What's driving the new directive? Check out the money generated by the bag fees and you'll get the answer.

on March 4,2014 | 08:10AM

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primo1wrote:

Check out how long it takes to board a plane. Much of the delay is due to people struggling to find overhead space for their over size bags that should've been checked in.

on March 4,2014 | 08:46AM

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inlanikaiwrote:

Check out all the "crap" and oversize/overstuff bags people parade down the aisles. The passengers brought this on themselves.

on March 4,2014 | 10:16AM

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inlanikaiwrote:

I'm no fan of United, but check out what people parade down the aisle. They brought this on themselves.

on March 4,2014 | 10:20AM

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falsewrote:

LIKE

on March 4,2014 | 04:35PM

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Bdpapawrote:

I think it serves a dual purpose. Faster boardings and baggage fees.

on March 4,2014 | 11:13AM

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falsewrote:

That might be so but the "test unit" to see if you bag is permissible at the gate when you board is the standard. The airlines have been overlooking what people have been bringing on the aircraft. I have been on planes where overhead pops open and bag falls out and I mean big bags.

on March 4,2014 | 12:26PM

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lokelawrote:

Hope more airlines do the same. Some of the carryon bags I've seen are ridiculous. They just about use up the whole bin. Have some consideration for others.

on March 4,2014 | 08:14AM

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primo1wrote:

Sadly consideration for others is no longer common.

on March 4,2014 | 08:47AM

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csdhawaiiwrote:

Yup.

on March 4,2014 | 11:38AM

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paniolowrote:

I double yup.

on March 4,2014 | 11:46AM

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MakaniKaiwrote:

I triple 'yup'

on March 4,2014 | 02:21PM

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Forever_Gratefulwrote:

quadriple YUP

on March 4,2014 | 03:29PM

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808Cindywrote:

Thank you United, Good move!

on March 4,2014 | 08:17AM

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Bdpapawrote:

I love it!

on March 4,2014 | 08:24AM

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Kalaheo1wrote:

About time! Hopefully other airlines will follow their example.

on March 4,2014 | 08:29AM

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danjiwrote:

All airlines should do the same. Hawaiian always make an anouncement about it before boarding but fail to do so. there should be a scale and a size gauge at the gates and full enforce these rules. People don't want to pay the baggage fee so I see people with 2 carry-on but nothing is done. People who don't like the baggage fee should boycott the airlines which will never happen. There are people who have the size limitation but the weight is beyond the allowable cause I have aided a short lady once and the carry-on must have been close to fifty pounds.

on March 4,2014 | 08:43AM

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falsewrote:

Too many "cheap Charleys" trying to beat the system. Good for United. Hawaiian??

on March 4,2014 | 09:13AM

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steven_markwrote:

I've been seeing these contraptions at airports for a long time now. Just a little frame where you drop your bag in. If it fits, take it inside, if not, then check it. And luggage has been sold in this size for a long time too.
I don't think boarding a plane takes that long. I've never had a flight delayed because it took too long for passengers to get on. Some of the comments here remind me of traveling in China when air travel became more common. People accustomed to jamming onto trains would all rush the gate. I would tell them "you've got a seat, there's no hurry." The flight attendants took a cue and said the same thing, so that calmed everything down.
Don't be so impatient folks. The plane ain't going anywhere until you're all inside, and it isn't leaving earlier than its scheduled departure time.

on March 4,2014 | 09:13AM

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Ewadufferwrote:

Actually the big rush is because of limited overhead space and people carrying on to much stuff.

on March 4,2014 | 09:22AM

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uhsportsfanwrote:

Exactly right. First ones on the plane take up ALL of the overhead space. I travel with a laptop and a backback and have to put both under the seat in front of me because there's not room for MY much smaller items because the early birds took up all the overhead space not just with their oversized "carry ons," but also by stuffing their jackets, sweaters, etc. up there. To be fair, though, this all didn't start until airlines started adding luggage fees into a fare that used to be built into the ticket price. If they would go back to that and offer "free" check-in, like they used to, these bags would slowly start to disappear from the overheads.

on March 4,2014 | 09:49AM

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csdhawaiiwrote:

Isn't it amazing what having a separate fee will do to people's mentality? Airlines SHOULD just all build baggage fees into the regular airfare and be done with it.

on March 4,2014 | 11:40AM

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falsewrote:

It would make sense if only the baggage compartment above your seat row is reserved for those sitting directly below. No others.

on March 4,2014 | 01:16PM

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primo1wrote:

If everybody who carried luggage on board a plane used that little frame or used bags that fit within that little frame, then this wouldn't be an issue. And planes do push off earlier than scheduled if everyone ticketed has boarded. It just rarely happens because boarding takes so long...that and the occasional late passenger running to the gate.

on March 4,2014 | 09:37AM

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Waipahunokaoiwrote:

Finally! What took them so long to do it?

on March 4,2014 | 09:17AM

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tutuloiswrote:

About time -- I fly a lot, and it is awful to see people trying to cram over-stuffed, over-sized bags into the overhead, and then get angry at the flight crew, as if it is all their fault. All of this really can hold up the boarding time, I bought a 20 inch suitcase years ago -- hardsided so I can't overstuff it -- and if I'm willing to do some hand laundry on the road, it works for a 3-week trip.

on March 4,2014 | 09:21AM

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jm2375wrote:

Easy way to fix this: stop charging for checked bags.

on March 4,2014 | 09:22AM

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primo1wrote:

Hawaiian raked in $54M in baggage fees alone in 2011...no way they're giving up that kala.

on March 4,2014 | 09:42AM

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readergirlwrote:

to jm2375 - love your answer - I was reading all the other post and was going hmm okay good idea, then when I read your post I just cracked up and said PERFECT, to bad the airlines will never go back to that idea. The paper ran an article or it was on the internet just how much of the money we pay for checked baggage goes to fuel like the airline industry said was the reason why they started charging for baggage and it was so lowwwwwww. anyway love your answer

on March 4,2014 | 09:52AM

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hawnwrote:

That's good, now if only Delta and American follow. Those oversize carryon's delay boarding, burden others with helping those put up their oversize and overweight carryon's.

on March 4,2014 | 09:34AM

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laachangwrote:

Good move!! All carriers should implement this as well. I am so sick of seeing all the tight @$$ people bring their huge, overweight carry on bags to the gates and then have the airlines send them into the belly at no charge PLUS have the bags waiting for the tight @$$ people at the jet way upon arrival!!! Now THAT is what you call B.S. Not at all fair to us people that pay the baggage fees!! C'mon Hawaiian--time to step up your game!!!

on March 4,2014 | 09:39AM

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csdhawaiiwrote:

EXACTLY.

on March 4,2014 | 11:41AM

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TrueCloudwrote:

This rule is because of all the people that refuse to follow the original rule concerning carry on bag dimensions. Good for the airline.

on March 4,2014 | 10:02AM

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inlanikaiwrote:

1

on March 4,2014 | 10:16AM

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GeoDivawrote:

Make the check-in fee increase as these people carry their huge over-stuffed bags from the ticket-counter to the gate. Maybe they will check them in before. Plus we don' have to follow then through TSA.

on March 4,2014 | 10:15AM

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falsewrote:

IT'S about time.

on March 4,2014 | 10:20AM

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LKK56wrote:

The airlines is doing for the baggage fee, but I do not care. This is only fair. Passengers with priority sitting take all of the overhead space with big bags. Carry on is carry on, not Haul on.

on March 4,2014 | 10:26AM

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HanabataDayswrote:

"United says it wants to quicken the boarding process." They've come up with a novel way to do that -- by putting folks on a merry-go-round between the aisle and the boarding gate -- where paperwork will have to be filled out, the bag sent downstairs, and the travelers reseated while EVERYONE ELSE WAITS. It'll be interesting to see what happens to United's on-time departure rates.

on March 4,2014 | 10:47AM

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shayaraiwrote:

Don't know if it's policy or the initiative of an akamai gate agent, but last year on a packed Delta flight from HNL to the mainland, the gate agent asked passengers if they wished to check carryons at no charge, *before* the boarding call . I opted to check my rolling backpack since there was no charge. Quite a few folks did the same, and all of us not fighting for overhead space made boarding much faster and smoother. There was not an inch of breathing room on that flight (Delta even asked for volunteers to give up their seats in exchange for free tickets), so the absence of all the extra carryon baggage made for a much more pleasant flight.

on March 4,2014 | 11:05AM

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Pinaowrote:

I hope ALL airlines follow suit. Very annoying to see people try to pass large sized, overly stuffed suitcases, as carry ons! Give me a break! And then they slow everyone down as they try to shove these bags into the overhead bins as well as trying to pull them out upon landing, let alone not hitting anyone in the process.

on March 4,2014 | 11:31AM

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medigogowrote:

This is a good move but won't change anything. Carry-on size is not the major problem, it's the numbers of carry-on bags. Before the checked bag fees, many people don't take anything into the cabin or just a small bag. But now, most people carry two pieces, a carry-on suitcase and a backpack or something. That makes the overhead bin a scarce resource, and people fight to board early to occupy the space. It also makes the aircraft top heavy and bottom light, thus not stable. The only way to do it is to allow one "free" checked bag or charge both carry-on and checked. Again, size is normally not a big problem. Those folks with big bags usually put their bags under seat. Look at the success story of Southwest, you'll see that you don't have to do it this way.

on March 4,2014 | 11:33AM

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ryan02wrote:

I don't know if the policy has changed but the last time I flew into London (about 5 years ago), the AIRPORT itself limited passengers to one bag per person going through the security checkpoint (and no personal items either - those had to fit within the one bag) -- and the bag itself had to fit within a bin to go through the x-ray machine. If the airports in the US had similar rules, the airlines wouldn't have to enforce the bag limits at the gates.

Just put one of the bag check frames by the TSA line. TSA agent can watch them put the bag in as they check ID. If no fit, tell the passenger to turn around and head back to ticket counter.

on March 4,2014 | 12:02PM

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hikinewrote:

Every time I fly to the mainland I see lots of oversized bags that clearly doesn't fit in the bag sizers. Glad they're following their own rules as these bags overfill the overhead compartments and inconveniencing the legit ones. Hope other carriers follow suit.

on March 4,2014 | 12:12PM

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Bothropswrote:

Denver airport xray had a cardboard cutout that limits size of carry ons that can go through. Airports could do the same and stop the problem at the source. Of course TSA would have to help. In the meantime, thanks United. Good move.

on March 4,2014 | 12:32PM

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XML808wrote:

Darn good idea and easy to implement. I found out the hard way that Hawaiian has a weight limit in addition to bag size. Kinda sucks when one wants to bring back salami from Molinari's for everyone.

on March 4,2014 | 12:45PM

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DeeCeewrote:

I agree! Delta and Alaska check bags in at the gate for no fee and they get priority boarding! What a rip! Most of the people know that and bring their bags to the gate. Unfair for those of us who pay at the counter. I say charge them more than the fee!

on March 4,2014 | 12:42PM

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kauailawyerwrote:

They should hit not just the size of the bag, but the number o bags. They say one bag and one personal item, which means to bags, but people are boarding with three or four items. They already paid a lot of money for the ticket, just pay the few bucks more for the baggage fee.

on March 4,2014 | 01:33PM

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juscastingwrote:

Eh no fair! Some of us was born with 4 bags, two under our eyes and two down.....?

on March 4,2014 | 01:41PM

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walrus808wrote:

I don't like the $25 fee for checked baggage, but I pay it as I'd rather not lug around anything more than my backpack in the airport. The cheapskates that have been going around the fee by having everyone in their party use carry on luggage only hold up the flight. Last time I flew to the mainland we were 30 minutes late out of the gate because of people who needed help getting their heavy arse bags into the overhead. One lady couldn't even lift it up there, I helpd her, but that bag had to be a good 40lbs. If you can't lift it yourself or it won't fit, check the darn thing, or don't fly!

on March 4,2014 | 03:25PM

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Forever_Gratefulwrote:

I am all for United enforcing the carry-on bag size rules - more than once, I have said that I'm going to write them to complain because I've seen bags so big that it takes up more than half the overhead bin and as the article stated, the passenger(s) needed help stuffing it in. I am going to have to buy a new bag - on a local airline flight to Kauai - my big is the right size but the darn WHEELS kept it from fitting in the sizer so I had to pay that extra fee. Nonetheless, this is a good move.

on March 4,2014 | 03:28PM

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niimiwrote:

It is ABOUT TIME. 22" x 14" x 9", basically a length times girth. Three major annoyances. 1) Selfish passenger brings aboard an oversized bag that takes two spaces in the overhead bin. 2) Selfish passenger turns their bag parallel to the aisle in the bin (what I do is rotate it 90 degrees for them so that it is properly placed. 3) Selfish passenger has way more carry-ons than the rules state.

on March 4,2014 | 03:33PM

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MexMewrote:

That happened to me and I didn't even say anything offensive and it was the first time it ever happened. And the comment wasn't approved. How do they decide? I have seen lots of offensive posts on here. I think the key is to use "foreign phrases" if you are going to be disparaging. This is the very basis of Communism.

on March 4,2014 | 05:20PM

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Cricket_Amoswrote:

There are always a couple of people who have a carryon bag and then big packpack which they sneak in as a "personal item".

on March 4,2014 | 07:01PM

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W_Williamswrote:

Good. I'm so tired of getting on a plane with allowed carry-on pieces, unable to put them in the overhead bin because someone else, on the way to seats further back, have put their bags in the space I should be able to use. Then there are those who whack you as they pass because their bag is too big.